Coastal dunes are unique transitional dynamic ecosystems along sandy shorelines, highly threatened by human activities. Traditional detection of its temporal changes was based on field resurveys campaigns with high costs and times. Very high spatial and time resolution of open-access remotely sensed data offers a promising cost-effective alternative. Our study examines temporal changes of coastal dune vegetation in the Mediterranean protected area “Castelporziano Presidential Estate” (IT6030084) with restricted access. We analyzed taxonomic and landscape changes over a 25-year period of three habitat units: Herbaceous Dune Vegetation (HDV), Woody Dune Vegetation (WDV), Broadleaf Mixed Forests (BMF) through 58 resurveyed vegetation plots. We assessed whether plant diversity influences landscape dynamics by combing satellite imagery and resurveyed field data. The landscape changes were analyzed by a chord diagram and floristic shifts using Rank Abundance curves. Shannon diversity was calculated for taxonomy and landscape, inside 25, 75, and 125 m buffers around the plots. Linear Mixed Models were applied to explore the influence of taxonomic diversity on landscape changes. Our results show a decrease in artificial cover due to natural encroachment accompanied by a vegetation succession, probably related to the high protection level. Additionally, we observed strong differences between T0 and T1, particularly in WDV, where Cistus spp. dominance disappeared. All the models explained variability well (R² > 0.82), especially for larger buffers, and showed differences between the relationships at T0 and T1. Notably, negative trends were linked to species dominance, such as for WDV at T0, while positive trends reflected increased equipartition. To conclude, our RS approach represents an effective tool for assessing the relationship of plant diversity on landscape and for monitoring temporal changes, and it could represent a starting point for developing conservation measures inside Protected Areas accelerating resurvey times.
Long-term Dynamics of Coastal Dune Landscapes and Taxonomy: Insights from a Quarter Century of Resurveys in Castelporziano Presidential Estate
Ciccarelli D.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Coastal dunes are unique transitional dynamic ecosystems along sandy shorelines, highly threatened by human activities. Traditional detection of its temporal changes was based on field resurveys campaigns with high costs and times. Very high spatial and time resolution of open-access remotely sensed data offers a promising cost-effective alternative. Our study examines temporal changes of coastal dune vegetation in the Mediterranean protected area “Castelporziano Presidential Estate” (IT6030084) with restricted access. We analyzed taxonomic and landscape changes over a 25-year period of three habitat units: Herbaceous Dune Vegetation (HDV), Woody Dune Vegetation (WDV), Broadleaf Mixed Forests (BMF) through 58 resurveyed vegetation plots. We assessed whether plant diversity influences landscape dynamics by combing satellite imagery and resurveyed field data. The landscape changes were analyzed by a chord diagram and floristic shifts using Rank Abundance curves. Shannon diversity was calculated for taxonomy and landscape, inside 25, 75, and 125 m buffers around the plots. Linear Mixed Models were applied to explore the influence of taxonomic diversity on landscape changes. Our results show a decrease in artificial cover due to natural encroachment accompanied by a vegetation succession, probably related to the high protection level. Additionally, we observed strong differences between T0 and T1, particularly in WDV, where Cistus spp. dominance disappeared. All the models explained variability well (R² > 0.82), especially for larger buffers, and showed differences between the relationships at T0 and T1. Notably, negative trends were linked to species dominance, such as for WDV at T0, while positive trends reflected increased equipartition. To conclude, our RS approach represents an effective tool for assessing the relationship of plant diversity on landscape and for monitoring temporal changes, and it could represent a starting point for developing conservation measures inside Protected Areas accelerating resurvey times.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
